SPIED + VIDEO: NOTHING To Hide Anymore, Mercedes-Benz's S-Class Maybach WORKS The Ring — Bentley Should Be WORRIED

When the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class was introduced to the market last September, it was a landmark moment. Frankly, a lot of folks wondered if there was a need for cars like a Rolls-Royce or Bentley anymore. Keep in mind that was the standard S.

Now we've been keeping an eye on two of Mercedes-Benz's projects. One is the S-Class Maybach, which will simply be an even MORE streeeetched S-Class. We've seen standard trim vehicles as well as AMG variants — S63 and S65. The other is the Pullman, which is another story for another day.

In the latest clip of the S-Class Maybach working its way around the Nürburgring, it's very clear that this vehicle is incredibly well tuned. The standard S was particularly well done but it's hard to say it's nimble. Watching the S-Class Maybach move through each turn in the clip below though, it's hard NOT to say it doesn't look very "clean" running the track. No screeching tires, no drama AND it's fast.

To me, it looks like the writing's on the wall here: Bentley better be prepared for a fight. Maybe even Rolls-Royce. Sure, their products are on another level of status and build quality, but when it comes down to it, if this all-new S-Class Maybach can do everything those cars do with MORE tech and better performance, it may be a battle to the death.

What say YOU, Spies?


We spied the prototype for the 2015 Mercedes-Benz Maybach once more on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, this time going round the infamous track in a slightly higher pace.

JDMUSMuscle - 8/16/2014 9:38:29 PM

0 Boost

I wonder myself if Bentley, Rolls and S class are needed anymore.

I mean, there are Lexus LS and Cadillac XTS, which are good enough to be called the standards of the segment.

Agent00R - 8/16/2014 10:11:33 PM

0 Boost

I hope you're being sarcastic.

The LS and XTS are complete also rans.

cidflekken - 8/17/2014 5:21:35 PM

+1 Boost

LOL. Whhhhat?

OK, I get what you're saying. Now that S-Class has completely elevated the flagship game and raises it even more with the Maybach, there is a whole new (or maybe two) "new" luxury flagship segments.

Rolls
Bentley
Mercedes S Maybach

S Class (almost in a class all its own at the moment)
A8/S8
7 Series

LS
Equus
K900
XTS (doesn't really belong here)

dumpsty - 8/18/2014 11:44:45 AM

+1 Boost

@ cidflekken:

If you include K900/Equus in that grouping, the XTS should definitely be in there as well. If you considered the XTS V-Sport, that larger Caddy almost competes with all of the large car flagships. I've seen quite a few wealthy folk trade in their big Benz & BMWs for the XTS lately. I'm guessing the LTS is greatly anticipated.

The S-class is awesome. It's just the 1st to make that natural luxury upgrade leap with all the new tech & exterior design language. Also, the large car segment has expanded to include all the near- & new-luxury models from the various brands. Brands like Lexus are having a seemingly hard time keeping up b/c they don't have the globally recognized heritage to build an ultra-luxury brand on top of. Lexus is stuck trying to make the LS fit a lot of different luxury tastes (sport/lxury/performance/hybrid/prestige/ultra-luxury) - where they should just create 2-3 more mid-size/large cars to compete (focus) in those different areas of the market.

I think the LS/XTS are the industry standards for real luxury vehicles. The S/7er/A8/XJ takes the luxury up a notch. The Panamera/Rapide/S AMG/S8 hits that higher notch, but on a sport-performance level. Then Bentley/RR raises the bar for absolute ultra-luxury in design & content & overall performance.

Benzes1 - 8/18/2014 12:46:28 PM

+1 Boost

Damn you're clueless.

cidflekken - 8/18/2014 8:37:32 PM

+1 Boost

dumpsty, I primarily stated that about the XTS because Cadillac just announced its intention for a true flagship.

Baby - 8/19/2014 10:09:19 PM

+1 Boost

I think cidflekken is spot on. In the near future watch for the new the LS. I believe it will compete 'if not surpass' the S with its complete new redesign...

Rolls
Bentley
Mercedes S Maybach

S Class (almost in a class all its own at the moment)
A8/S8
7 Series

LS
Equus
K900
XTS

MattDarringer - 8/16/2014 10:58:37 PM

-1 Boost

A whale screeches around the ring and NO ONE flucking cares!

Car4Life - 8/17/2014 1:26:31 PM

+1 Boost

I garuntee the execs at Rolls and Bentley would beg to differ.

You see, that "whale", just took a significant bite out of their 2015 pie in presales alone...

Agent00R - 8/17/2014 4:35:34 PM

+1 Boost

TY, @Car4Life.

610looper - 8/17/2014 10:50:55 PM

+1 Boost

If the S-class maybach is supposed to offer more for less, compared to Bentley and Roller, then how is that any different than Hyundai Genesis offering what the Germans and Japanese offer, in a less costly package?

610looper - 8/17/2014 10:57:00 PM

0 Boost

Oops, meant Hyundai Equus.. 2011 Car&Driver

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/hyundai-equus-vs-lexus-ls460l-comparison-test

benzforlife - 8/18/2014 3:17:59 AM

+2 Boost

it's a Benz, so performing department is no brainer, it will be nearly great. But the design is what sucks. who will pay that much for a car that's cursed with a mediocre design.

Fucked up design is what killed Mayback's potential not bad quality, bad quality is where Rolls and Bentley shine, but since they have no competition, the rich keep buying them and Benz execs couldn't understand that ultra-luxury cars should be classically designed not look like a melted piece of clay on wheels

focal - 8/18/2014 9:18:54 AM

+1 Boost

because the S Maybach doesn't scream, "I'm richer than you"

Coachwork means something too and the amount of customizing a Rolls or Bentley offer is what will differentiate them also.

dumpsty - 8/18/2014 11:19:10 AM

-1 Boost

Umm...I think it would definitely (scream), "...hey, I'm richer..."

The point of the Maybach trim is to indicate that the vehicle is more than the average S600 or S68 AMG. The prestige is the personalization + the exclusivity of the vehicle itself. When you add Maybach today...most critics expect more than just interior & minor exterior trim upgrades....I would say they're looking for a separate exterior design that indicates the very exclusivity they've paid for. The very reason Roll-Royce & Bentley have done so well. BMW & VW have done excellent jobs at either adapting or heavily modifying platforms & designing appropriate modern exteriors to showcase their ultra-luxury brands.

What M-B is doing is just adding an ultra-lux trim to existing top line models in lieu of creating a modern ultra-lux brand...which they failed at previously. I guess since - historically - Maybach was basically a luxury trim package for Mercedes, its harder to realize a totally separate design for the brand in today's wave of ultra-lux resurgence. I think M-B has left a lot of profit & market share on the table by not truly competing with RR & Bentley.

focal - 8/18/2014 11:47:07 AM

0 Boost

I cannot speak for this class of customer personally, but performance numbers are relevant but not the main factor in buying a luxe barge.

Even at my modest levels of success, I value the smaller details in the modest things I buy. I see value in the exact colour choice, the finishing, the material's quality and the service I receive to acquire such product. I take great pride in choosing things that may be functionally the same but have elevated standards.

I would imagine at this higher snack bracket, it's no different for high end cars. The value one places on a S-class Maybach may steal sales from RR/Bentley, but those that truly care about details will choose the RR/Bentley cars.

internationalmanofmystery - 8/18/2014 1:36:00 PM

+1 Boost

One you hire, the other you own!

kingsley - 8/19/2014 4:30:46 PM

+1 Boost

It does look like a whale, doesn't it? Mercedes went down the day they ditched their classic radiator grilles in the 90s and became fashion objects. I love my VW Phaeton, because it has classic styling and gives me all the comfort of a Bentley if not the ultimate interior luxury. The next now will be good too. Some of us don't want to shout, but still like something beautiful, comfortable and classic. Nobody really needs the deep luxury of Rolls and Bentley to enjoy motoring to the full, but I would have loved a Bentley if I were rich. A secondhand Phaeton is a better way for the comfortably off.